Bottle seal

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a closure for closing a bottle having a bottleneck ( 1 ) with an opening on which bottleneck an outer thread ( 5,6 ) is formed in the vicinity of the opening.  
     In order to provide a closure that is easy to handle and can be fabricated inexpensively, the closure ( 2 ) has at least one, and particularly several, deformation regions which are plastically deformed so that in the outer peripheral surface of the closure they form indentations ( 21,22 ) and internally ( 25,26 ) they are adapted to the thread ( 5,6 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a closure for closing a bottle having abottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of which is provided an outerthread. The invention also relates to a bottle, particularly a beveragebottle, having a bottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of which isprovided an outer thread. The invention also relates to a method forclosing a bottle, particularly a beverage bottle, having a bottleneckwith an opening in the vicinity of which is provided an outer thread,the bottle being provided with an afore-described closure. The inventionalso relates to a device for closing a bottle, particularly a beveragebottle, having a bottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of which isprovided an outer thread, with an afore-described closure.

BACKGROUND

Conventional twist-closures contain internally an inner thread that isconfigured in a manner essentially complementary to the outer thread ofthe bottle. Also known are crown caps with an inner thread which,however, because of their outer shape are difficult to handle and whichwhen the closure is twisted off or on can lead to injuries to the handof the user.

DISCUSSION

The object of the invention is to provide a closure according to thepreamble of claim 1 which is easy to handle and inexpensive tofabricate.

In the case of a closure for closing a bottle with a bottleneck havingan opening in the vicinity of which there is provided an outer thread,this objective is reached by providing the closure with one, andparticularly with several, deformation regions that are plasticallydeformed so that in the outer peripheral surface they form indentationsand internally they are adapted to the thread. Unlike in conventionalclosures, the thread is not formed in its entirety, but only in thedeformation regions of the closure. To this end, at least in thedeformation regions, the closure is made of a plastically deformablematerial. This material can be, for example, a metal or a plasticmaterial. The closure can be made of a single material or of severaldifferent materials. The deformation regions are deformed in a mannersuch that, seen from the outside, indentations are formed in the closureand, seen from the inside, elevations are formed. The externalindentations ensure better packing than does a smooth outer surface. Thepurpose of the internal elevations is to form the bottle thread. Thebottle thread is not formed in its entirety but only partly, namely inthe deformation regions.

A preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized in that thedeformation regions are of elongated shape and are disposed essentiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle. The longitudinal axisof the bottle corresponds to the rotational axis of the closure when thebottle is in the closed condition. As a result of this configuration andarrangement of the deformation regions, said regions are disposedessentially at an angle to the flight of the threads. As a result, onedeformation region extends over several threads. In other words, in adeformation region, neighboring sections of different threads areformed.

Another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized in that thedeformation regions are in the form of elongated tongues or creasesdisposed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bottle. Inthis manner, the closure assumes a crown cap-like shape. The deformationregions partly forming the bottle thread ensure that the closure can berepeatedly twisted off and twisted on.

Another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized in that theclosure has an outer jacket made of, in particular, plasticallydeformable sheet metal, particularly aluminum, on the inside of which isprovided, in particular, a plastically deformable sealing material,particularly a plastic material. The jacket has the function of acarrier for the sealing material. Moreover, the jacket protects thebottle mouth from damage. In the deformation regions, the jacket isprovided with longitudinal creases. The sealing material serves thepurpose of sealing the interface between the bottle opening and theclosure. Moreover, parts of the bottle thread are formed in the sealingmaterial in the deformation regions.

Another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized in that thejacket is shaped in the form of a cap that surrounds an essentiallycylinder jacket-shaped body one face of which is closed by a circulardisk-shaped lid.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized in thatthe sealing material is disposed internally at the cylinderjacket-shaped body. The thread is only partly formed. The threads formedin the sealing material are not complete but consist of only shortadjacent pieces.

Still another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized inthat the sealing material is disposed in the region of the interfacebetween the body and the lid. The sealing material in the region of theinterface between the body and the lid serves to seal the bottle openingin radial and axial direction.

Another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized in that asafety element, particularly a safety ring, is provided at the closure.The safety element is intended for the purpose of proving that theclosure was not tampered with. In its place, however, the closure can becovered by shrink film.

The object of the invention is also to provide a bottle with a closurethat is easy to handle and inexpensive to fabricate.

In the case of a bottle, particularly a beverage bottle, having abottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of which is provided an outerthread, the objective is reached by closing the bottle opening with anafore-described closure. In the closed condition, the closure resemblesa crown cap. The closure of the invention, however, has the advantagethat it can be repeatedly opened and again tightly closed by twisting iton and off. With the aid of a safety ring provided at the closure orwith the aid of shrink film, a tamper-evident closure can be obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for closing abottle with an afore-described closure that can be carried out in simplefashion and inexpensively.

In the case of a method for closing a bottle, particularly a beveragebottle, having a bottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of which isprovided an outer thread, with an afore-described closure, theobjec-tive is reached in that the closure is placed on the bottleneckand the deformation regions are plastically deformed so that in theouter peripheral surface of the closure they form indentations andinternally they are adapted to the bottle thread. In this manner, theclosure placed on the bottle opening is given the appearance of a crowncap, but can still be removed and then again twisted on without using abottle opener.

A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized by the followingsteps: First, pressure is applied to the closure to ensure sealingbetween the closure and the bottleneck; then, the deformation regions ofthe closure are deformed. This ensures especially good sealing betweenthe closure and the bottle opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for closing abottle with an afore-described closure that is easy to handle andinexpensive to fabricate.

In the case of a device for closing a bottle, particularly a beveragebottle, having a bottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of which isprovided an outer thread with an afore-described closure, the objectiveis reached by means of form fingers the purpose of which is to createdeformation regions. With the aid of the form fingers, the deformationregions can be deformed inexpensively and quite reproducibly.

A preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that the formfingers are supported in swiveling manner. The form fingers can,however, also be stationary.

Another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized by a conicalsleeve the purpose of which is to press the form fingers onto thedeformation regions of the closure so as to achieve plastic deformationof the deformation regions. In tests carried out within the framework ofthe present invention, this simple solution was found to be particularlyadvantageous.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized by aplunger intended for the purpose of exerting pressure on the closure soas to press the closure against the bottle opening. This ensuresunusually good sealing between the closure and the bottle opening.

Still another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized inthat the form fingers are disposed on the plunger in swiveling manner.Within the framework of the present invention, this proved to beparticularly advantageous from a constructive standpoint.

Another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that theform fingers are held together by an elastic ring. This preventsundesirable movement of the form fingers during the operation of thedevice.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in thateach of the form fingers is provided with a recess for receiving asection of the elastic ring. This prevents the elastic ring from slidingduring the operation of the device.

Still another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized inthat in the end region of the form fingers there is provided a nose forthe purpose of forming a safety ring. The safety ring is connected withthe closure, for example, by a multiplicity of connectors. The safetyring can be fastened with the same tool that is used to deform thedeformation regions.

Another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that theconical sleeve is displaceable relative to the plunger in the directionof the longitudinal axis of the plunger. This ensures simple hand-lingof the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages, features and details of the invention will becomeevident from the following description in which different embodimentsare described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Thefeatures referred to in the claims and in the description either aloneor in any desired combination can be essential for the invention. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 shows a partly sectional representation of the upper end of abottleneck with the closure in place;

FIG. 2 shows a partial view of a section through a closure similar tothat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of the closure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a lateral view of a closure similar to that of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows in longitudinal section a device for closing a bottle insealing position;

FIG. 6 shows the device of FIG. 5 in deformation position, and

FIG. 7 shows in longitudinal section a device for closing a bottle withswivelably disposed form fingers.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

FIG. 1 shows a bottleneck 1 of a beverage bottle in partial longitudinalsection. In the region of the bottleneck opening there is formed anouter thread with two thread flights. Moreover, a circumferential bulge8 is formed on bottleneck 1.

The opening of bottleneck 1 is closed by a closure 2 comprising a lid 10that is essentially in the form of a circular disk from the periphery ofwhich extends a body 12 essentially having the shape of a cylindricaljacket. Body 12 widens slightly in conical fashion. Closure 2 isconnected with a safety ring 16 by connectors 14 regularly distributedover the periphery. Safety ring 16 has a multiplicity of bent regions17, 18, 19 that surround bulge 8 so as to keep closure 2 on the bottleopening.

Closure 2 is provided with a multiplicity of deformation regionsuniformly distributed over the periphery, said deformation regions whenobserved from the outside being in the form of elongated indentations21,22. Indentations 21,22 extend from lid 10 to shortly ahead of theconnectors 14. Internally, inden-tations 21,22 are adapted to the shapeof the thread flights, as shown in cross-section at 25 and 26. In otherwords, each external indentation or inner elevation 21, 22 forms twoadjacent sections of thread flights 5, 6.

In the transition region between lid 10 and body 12, on the inside ofclosure 2, there is formed an axial sealing region 28 and a radialsealing region 29. Axial sealing region 28 provides sealing betweenbottleneck 1 and closure 2 in the axial direction. Radial sealing region29 provides sealing between bottleneck 1 and closure 2 in the radialdirection.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a bottleneck similar to that closed by a closure asdepicted in FIG. 1. Equal parts are identified by equal referencenumerals. To prevent repetition, the reader is referred to the precedingstatements made in reference to FIG. 1. In the following, only thedifferences between the two embodiments will be dealt with.

In FIG. 2, it is shown in longitudinal section that closure 2 has anouter jacket 32 made of sheet metal, such as aluminum. On the inside ofjacket 32 there is disposed a sealing material 34. Both the outer jacket32 and the sealing material 34 that is firmly connected therewith areplastically deformable in at least some regions.

In the outer jacket 32, the deformation regions are in the form ofcreases 20,21. In the regions of creases 20,21, on the inside of closure2, sealing material 34 is pressed against thread flights 5, 6. Unlike inthe embodiment of FIG. 1, safety ring 16 is not bent in only some of theregions, but is completely bent, as can be seen in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 2and 3, the bent edge of safety ring 16 is indicated by reference numeral19. Bent edge 19 rests entirely on bulge 8.

In the embodiment represented in FIG. 4, closure 2 is fastened to bulge8 of bottleneck 1 by means of a plastic film 42 or a plastic ring. Othervariants (not shown) to provide a tamper-evident closure, however, arealso possible.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a device for applying closure 2 to bottleneck 1. InFIG. 5, a plunger 51, which can be actuated with the aid of a piston 52,is placed on closure 2. Plunger 51 is shaped so that the radial andaxial sealing region between closure 2 and the opening of the bottleneckare sealed. To this end, a certain pressure is applied to closure 2 bymeans of plunger 51.

A pressure sleeve 55 is displaceable relative to plunger 51 in the axialdirection. In essence, pressure sleeve 55 is shaped like a cylinder andis provided with a constriction 56. Constriction 56 forms a stop for theend of compression spring 58 the other end of which rests on the side ofplunger 51 facing away from closure 2. The initial stressing force ofcompression spring 58 corresponds to the contact pressure exerted byplunger 51 onto closure 2.

From pressure sleeve 55 extend in axial direction form fingers 60, 61. Amultiplicity of form fingers 60, 61 are uniformly distributed over theperiphery of pressure sleeve 55.

In FIG. 6 it can be seen that form fingers 60, 61 can be pushed beyondplunger 51 when the pressure applied to pressure sleeve 55 exceeds theinitial stressing force of compression spring 58. In that case, formfingers 60, 61 deform the deformation regions 21,62 in closure 2. Thedeformation leads to the formation of creases in closure 2 on the insideof which the sealing material is pressed against the bottleneck thread.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a device for closing bottleneck 1with closure 2. The device comprises a plunger 71 that cooperates with aclamping sleeve 72. Plunger 71 is fitted with an annular groove havingan essentially semicircular cross-section. In annular groove 73 areswivelably supported a multiplicity of form fingers 74,75. Form fingers74,75 are uniformly distributed over the circumference of annular groove73. On each of form fingers 74,75 are present thread-forming cheeks76,77 which are pressed against the deformation regions of closure 2when conical sleeve 72 is displaced relative to plunger 71 in axialdirection.

Moreover, at each form finger 74,75 is provided a bending nose 78,79,for the purpose of bending safety ring 16 around bulge 8 in someregions. Form fingers 74,75 are held together by elastic ring 80.

An essential feature of the present invention is the combination of thedeformation regions, each of which forms only one section of adjacentthread flights, with a safety element such as a safety ring or a safetyfilm that ensures a tamper-evident closure. The use of aluminum has theadvantage of pre-venting undesirable rusting.

All this indicates that the closure of the kind described herein hasspecial advantages: It comprises a lid that closes the region of abottle opening. To said lid is connected a cylindrical jacket-shapedbody that extends over the outer threads of a bottleneck 1. The closureis made of a single piece and preferably consists of a deep-drawablemetal, particularly aluminum.

In FIGS. 1 to 7 and the attendant explanations, it was assumed that theclosure has a safety ring provided on the lower edge of the cylindricaljacket-shaped body surrounding the lid. The reader is specificallyreminded, however, that for the inventive solution such a safety ring isnot absolutely necessary even though it provides the user with theessential advantage that he can detect manipulation of the closure and afirst opening.

In the cylinder jacket-shaped body are provided several deformationregions distributed over the periphery which, seen from the outside,appear as elongated indentations, namely they protrude in the directionof bottleneck 1. On the inside of cylindrical jacket-shaped body 12, inthe region of the elongated indentations, there are formed projectionsinto which the threads engage. In other words, in the region of theindentations, the body of the closure is adapted to the outer thread ofa bottleneck.

The adaptation of a body, also referred to as the jacket, of a closureto the thread flights of a bottleneck is known. Here it is essentialthat such adaptation to the outer thread of a bottleneck is providedonly in individual deformation regions, namely in the region of theindentations. Ribs are left between the indentations to enhance thegripping properties of the closure.

As a result of the adaptation, body 12 is approximately equally thick inthe region of the indentations, as in the region of the ribs disposedthereinbetween. In other words, the body, seen in the circumferentialdirection, has a practically constant wall thickness.

The outstanding feature of the closure is that in the region of theindentations the body is optimally adapted or fitted to the outer threadof a bottleneck. This offers the advantage that after the first openingof the closure, said closure again optimally fits on the outer thread ofa bottleneck.

This, for example, constitutes an essential difference compared to aclosure devoid of threads on the inside when such a closure is placed ona bottle for the first time. Here the outer thread of a bottle fits intothe inner surface of closure 2 which, for example, can have protrudingribs. The adaptation here occurs through the deformation and/ordisplacement of the material without any forces being exerted onto theoutside of the closure or onto the outside of its body. In particular,the body when it is put in place for the first time is not deformed fromthe outside.

Because in the case of such closures the material that becomes deformedwhen put in place is reformed to some extent when the closure is opened,the reclosing of the bottle with such a closure is not entirely simple,because additional deformation work is required.

Hence, the closure of the invention stands out by the fact that in someregions an adaptation to the outer thread of a bottleneck takes place asa result of the fact that forces are applied to the body from theoutside. In conventional closures, to form a thread, a force is appliedto certain regions from the inside.

It is clear from the explanations of the figures that in the closure,preferably in the region of the cy-lindrical jacket-shaped body, thereis provided a sealing material that extends as far as the region of lid10 and is present there on the inside of the lid facing bottleneck 1.

When a force is applied to the body of the closure from the outside,said material is adapted to the outer thread of the bottleneck in theregion of the deformation regions. The forces applied from the outsideare thus somewhat reduced so that damage to the outer thread is safelyprevented.

In this regard, the reader is specifically reminded of the fact that inthe region of the body, also referred to as the jacket, such a sealingmaterial is not necessarily required and that the body can be adapteddirectly to the outer thread of bottleneck 1.

By the adaptation to the outer thread in the deformation regions, anoptimum fit is achieved between the closure and the outer thread of thebottleneck so that, during the first opening of the closure, definedopening forces can be provided with certainty and, moreover, it isensured that the closure can again be placed on the once-openedbottleneck and here, too, it being possible to provide closing forces.

1. Closure for closing a bottle having a bottleneck with an opening onwhich bottleneck, in the vicinity of said opening, there is formed anouter thread, the closure having at least one and particularly severaldeformation regions that are plastically deformable so that in the outerperipheral surface of the closure they form indentations and internallythey are adaptable to the thread, the deformation regions beingelongated and disposable essentially parallel to the longitudinal axisof the bottle or at an angle to the thread and the closure having anouter jacket made of plastically deformable sheet metal, particularlyaluminum, on the inside of which can be placed a plastically deformablesealing material, particularly a plastic material, wherein thedeformation regions in the outer jacket are shaped in the form ofelongated tongues or creases disposed in the direction of thelongitudinal axis of the bottle and that in the deformation regions, onthe inside of the closure, the sealing material can be pressed againstthe thread flights.
 2. Closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the jackethas the shape of a cap surrounding an essentially cylinder jacket-shapedbody one face of which is closed by a circular disk-shaped lid. 3.Closure as defined in claim 2, wherein the sealing material is disposedinternally on the cylinder jacket-shaped body.
 4. Closure as defined inclaim 1, wherein the sealing material is disposed in the region of theinterface between the body and the lid.
 5. Closure as defined in claim1, wherein the closure is combined with a safety element providing atamper-evident closure.
 6. Bottle, particularly a beverage bottle, witha bottleneck having an opening on which bottleneck, in the vicinity ofsaid opening, there is formed an outer thread, wherein the bottleopening is closed by a closure as defined in claim
 1. 7. Method forclosing a bottle, particularly a beverage bottle, with a bottleneckhaving an opening, on which bottleneck, in the vicinity of said opening,there is formed an outer thread, with a closure as defined in claim 1,wherein the closure is placed on the bottleneck and the deformationregions are deformed plastically so that in the outer peripheral surfaceof the closure they form indentations and internally they are adapted tothe bottle thread.
 8. Method as defined in claim 7, wherein thefollowing steps: a) first, applying pressure to the closure to ensuresealing between the closure and the bottleneck opening; b) then,deforming the deformation regions of the closure.
 9. Device for closinga bottle, particularly a beverage bottle, with a bottleneck having anopening on which bottleneck, in the vicinity of said opening, there isformed an outer thread, with a closure as defined in claim 1, whereinform fingers intended for the purpose of forming the deformationregions.
 10. Device as defined in claim 9, wherein the form fingers aresupported in swivelable manner.
 11. Device as defined in claim 10,wherein a conical sleeve intended for the purpose of pressing the formfingers against the deformation regions of the closure so as to bringabout plastic deformation of the deformation regions.
 12. Device asdefined in one claim 9, wherein a plunger intended for the purpose ofapplying pressure to the closure so as to press the closure against thebottle opening.
 13. Device as defined in claim 12, wherein the formfingers are disposed on the plunger in swivelable manner.
 14. Device asdefined in claim 12, wherein the form fingers are held together by anelastic ring.
 15. Device as defined in claim 14, wherein each of theform fingers is provided with a recess for receiving a section of theelastic ring.
 16. Device as defined in claim 9, wherein in the endregion of each of the form fingers there is provided a nose intended forthe purpose of reshaping a safety element.
 17. Device as defined inclaim 9, wherein the conical sleeve is displaceable relative to theplunger in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plunger.